God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises.
(USCCB, Sing to the Lord)
St. Paul Adult Choir is comprised of a group of dedicated men and women who enjoy singing and worshiping together. The choir sings the 11:00 AM Mass from September through the Feast of Corpus Christi in June. The choir also sings several Holy Day Masses and the evening Triduum Liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings in the church from 7:30-9:00 PM. There is also a brief warm up from approximately 10:15-10:45 AM on Sunday mornings. Ability to read music is helpful, but not essential. All that is needed is a good ear, a pleasant voice, and a willing spirit. Part recordings will be given as needed to help learn music.
Christmas and/or Triduum Singers are welcome to join the Adult Choir for the latest Christmas Eve Mass and/or the Triduum Liturgies. Rehearsals take place on Tuesdays from 7:30-8:15 PM (the first half of the Adult Choir rehearsal) approximately 6-8 weeks before Christmas or Holy Week.
St. Paul Contemporary Music Group provides music at the 5:00 PM Saturday Mass. Practice is before/after 5:00 PM Saturday Mass. New members are welcome. Contact Mark Flickinger at confolkgroup@gmail.com.
St. Paul Youth Choir is open to youth in grades 3 through 12. The choir rehearses on Monday evenings from 6:30-7:30 PM from the end of September until Corpus Christi in June. They sing at various Masses and Services throughout the year: the 5:30 PM All Saints’ Day Mass, the Christmas Pageant, the 8:30 AM Mass on Epiphany Sunday, the Stations of the Cross on the first Friday of Lent, First Communion, May Crowning, the 8:30 AM Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, Ascension Sunday, and Corpus Christi Sunday. Training in solfege & sight singing are an essential part of each rehearsal.
Cantors - Do you have a pleasant voice and love to sing, but don’t have the time to commit to one of the regular singing groups? Cantors sing at the 8:30 AM Mass from September through June and at both the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM Masses during the summer. Cantors should be able to read music at a rudimentary level and possibly lead unaccompanied when necessary.
During the season of Lent, at all Sunday Masses and on Holy Thursday, we will be singing some of the Ordinary of the Mass in Greek: Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy), and in Latin: Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy), Mortem tuam (We proclaim your death), and Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). Recordings of these ancient chants of the Church are linked below to help you, and worship aids will be available, so please sing along!
Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy)
Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy)
Mortem tuam (We proclaim your death)
Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)
Why sing in Latin?
Simply put, Latin (and Greek) are part of our Catholic heritage. The Church wants us to be familiar with the official language of the Church and stay connected with the treasury of sacred music, much of which is in Latin.
“The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care. Choirs must be diligently promoted…” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 1963, paragraph 114)
“Nevertheless steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 1963, paragraph 54)
“Since the faithful from different countries come together ever more frequently, it is desirable that they know how to sing together at least some parts of the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, especially the Profession of Faith and the Lord’s Prayer, according to the simpler settings.” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, 2011, paragraph 41)
“Pastors should ensure ‘that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.’ They should be able to sing these parts of the Mass proper to them, at least according to the simpler melodies.” (Sing to the Lord, 2007, paragraph 61)
Please contact Celeste Pappas, Director of Music at music@stpauldamascus.org or 301-787-1044.